INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH

www.icr.org

N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9ACTS&FACTSV O L . 3 8 N O . 1 1

Bless the Lord

Bless the L o r d , O my sou l : and a l l that i s with in me , b l e s s h i s ho ly name . P s a l m 1 0 3 : 1

The New Defender’s Study Bible

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• Introductory notes on each Bible book• Greatly expanded commentary notes• End-of-verse references• Words of Christ in red• Concordance• 21 topical appendices• Full-color maps

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Published byInstitute for Creation ResearchP. O. Box 59029, Dallas, TX 75229214.615.8300www.icr.org

Executive Editor: Lawrence E. FordManaging Editor: Beth MullAssistant Editor: Christine DaoDesigner: Dennis Davidson

No articles may be reprinted in whole or in part without obtaining permission from ICR.

CONTENTS

4 Bless the Lord Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

6 Manning the Booth Christine Dao

8 Did Humans Evolve from “Ardi”?

Brian Thomas, M.S.

10 Made in His Image: Immune Systems, The

Body’s Security Force Randy J. Guliuzza, P.E., M.D.

12 Sir Ambrose Fleming: Father of Modern

Electronics Jerry Bergman, Ph.D.

15 Preadaptation: A Blow to Irreducible

Complexity? Brian Thomas, M.S.

16 Noah’s Ark: The Search Goes On

John D. Morris, Ph.D.

18 Bottom-Up Science David F. Coppedge

20 Letters to the Editor

Radio Log

21 A Good Thing… Henry M. Morris IV

22 The Issues of Death Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

3N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 • ACTS&FACTS

FROM THE EDITOR

The Best Laid Plans

I’ve been thinking recently about the sayings

of wise King Solomon. He was one of the

greatest world leaders of all time, and a really

busy man. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 16:9

that “a man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord

directeth his steps.” God has given every one of us

the intellect to make plans, but in the end, it is God

who directs how our plans are fulfilled (even if He

must change our plans to conform to His).

Here at ICR we work hard to plan ministry

initiatives, conferences, publications, and educa-

tional programs in order to fulfill the plans we be-

lieve the Lord has laid on our hearts. One of these

projects recently under my responsibility is the new

book Earth’s Catastrophic Past by renowned geolo-

gist Dr. Andrew Snelling. Reflecting more than a

decade of work by Dr. Snelling, ICR committed

to publish this long-awaited update to The Gen-

esis Flood, published in 1961 by ICR founder Dr.

Henry Morris and Grace Seminary theologian Dr.

John Whitcomb. A two-volume set

totaling 1,200 pages, with an expect-

ed delivery date around Thanksgiv-

ing, Earth’s Catastrophic Past repre-

sents a huge commitment by ICR

to communicate the evidence for

recent creation and the global Flood.

But the task for me and my dedicated

publishing team, frankly, has been

enormous—even overwhelming at

times—especially in conjunction with

the many other books we are preparing for publi-

cation this year. Thank you for upholding us with

your diligent prayers.

I am grateful to work with a genuine Chris-

tian professional like Dr. Snelling who understands

the rigors of scientific writing, editing, and publish-

ing. His patience during our editorial process has

been commendable. For me personally, this is one

of those occasional projects fraught with interrup-

tions and delays that make me wonder about the

plans and commitments I made in contrast to the

plans God wants to fulfill. It’s been a good lesson

for me, particularly as ICR continues to expand its

ministry to other vital areas of communicating the

wonders of God’s creation.

Speaking of His wonders, I mentioned last

month that I would report on the ICR Yosemite

Creation Tour. What a wonder of God! Thanks

to Danielle Perez, our Tour Coordinator, and our

teachers, Dr. Larry Vardiman and Dr. Steve Austin,

as well as guest tour guides Dave and Mary Jo Nut-

ting. A packed bus of 54 eager adventurers of all

ages enjoyed hiking, creation teaching, and touring

at one of the most awe-inspiring spots in America.

The weather was great and all of our guests were

a delight to know. And to think that so much of

Yosemite Valley was created by the judgment of

God—the after-effects of the Flood and the Ice

Age. What a merciful and gracious God we have!

This time of Thanksgiving is our opportu-

nity to give honor to the One who has been so gra-

cious to us, His children. I encourage you to care-

fully read our feature article by Dr. Henry Morris

III on the blessings of Thanksgiving. His prayer at

the end is one that you will want to share with your

families during this season of gratitude.

Lawrence E. FordExEcutivE Editor

4 ACTS&FACTS • N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9

his is the season when we in the United States tend to turn our

thoughts to thankfulness for the blessings of prosperity and

peacefulness. And well we should. Our country, with all of its

struggles, is still the most emulated and sought after civilization of

the modern world. And, in spite of the efforts on the part of some,

it is still a nation of moral laws and religious stability. We have much to

be thankful for.

Yet for those of us whose eternal “conversation [citizenship,

administration] is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20), and who seek “a better

country, that is, an heavenly” (Hebrews 11:16), there is much, much more

for which we should be thankful.

King David wrote Psalm 103 as praise to the great God of creation,

thanking Him for the personal blessings he had known as one of God’s

redeemed, and “blessing” God for the universal and foundational

blessings upon which all of the Kingdom may depend. Surely it is helpful

for us to be reminded of all the “spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3) that

our wonderful Savior has provided for us—both in the now and in the

“heavenly places in Christ.”

The Blessing of Forgiveness

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who

forgiveth all thine iniquities” (Psalm 103:2-3). Surely this is worthy of

our grateful praise and conscious thanks. We have no righteousness of

our own to lay before God’s feet (Romans 3:10). How marvelous is the

grace gift of sins forgiven. What wonder is there in God’s transferring the

righteousness of Jesus Christ to our account (Romans 4:22-24). Knowing

that our sins are “cast…into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19) should

cause a deep joy to bubble from our hearts in praise to our Lord.

Henry M. Morris iii, D.Min.

B l e s s t h e L o r d , O my s o u l : a n d a l l t h a t i s w i t h i n m e , b l e s s h i s h o l y n a m e . P s a l m 1 0 3 : 1

5N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 • ACTS&FACTS

The Blessing of Mercy

“Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth

thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth

thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed

like the eagle’s…. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor

rewarded us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:4-5, 10).

Who of us has not known the mercy of God? How often has

His hand been evident in our lives? How many times have we

known that we have failed or rebelled against His direction, and

the discipline we deserve has been stayed? Surely we can “praise

the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the

children of men!” (Psalm 107:8).

The Blessing of Eternal Inheritance

“The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and

his kingdom ruleth over all” (Psalm 103:19). The promise

of heaven is the core of our future hope. Were it not for the

promise of our resurrection and the evidence of the Lord’s

victory over death, we would be “of all men most miserable” (1

Corinthians 15:19). God’s absolute promise of our eternal joy

in His presence is summarized by Peter: “Blessed be the God

and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his

abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by

the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance

incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved

in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through

faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter

1:3-5). We must rejoice and thank God for this unspeakable gift

(2 Corinthians 9:15).

Not only is the inheritance “reserved in heaven,” but the

very preservation of our salvation is secured by the “power of

God.” One day we will be “joint heirs” with the Creator Himself

(Romans 8:17). Our “corruptible” will become “incorruption”

and our mortal will become immortality (1 Corinthians

15:52). Our earthly service will be changed into that of “kings

and priests” (Revelation 5:10). Surely this deserves our present

praise and thankfulness.

The Sacrifice of Praise

Sometimes we forget that “the fruit of our lips” is a

“sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15) that brings joy to our Lord

(Zephaniah 3:17). Would you share this prayer of mine with

your loved ones this thanksgiving season? It’s rather crude in

light of His inspired Word, but perhaps the Lord will receive joy

from our small praise for His goodness.

O Lord, God of Heaven and earth, our finite minds and feeble speech can never produce fitting praise of Thee. Although our hearts sometimes fill with gratitude and overflow with the joy of knowing Thee, we stumble at our attempts to express our love for Thee. Please accept our innermost thoughts. Please hear the groanings of our spirit as we try to hold Thee to our breast. Please, Father, receive our childlike thanks and our murmured whispers of love.

We do love Thee. But, O Lord, our lives are so impacted by the world and the sin that surrounds us. Forgive us for the constant stumbling and groping in the darkness away from Thee. Cleanse us from our sin and bring us into Thy light. Direct our steps, God of all Wisdom, and keep us from the Evil One. Our soul hungers for Thy favor, and we seek to please Thee with our days.

Lord God of the Sabbath, our forgiveness stands alone with Thee. We have reached out in sinfulness to respond to Thy calling, and have received at Thy hand alone the grace of eternal life. We will be unable here in this world to do more than give Thee our words of thanksgiving and our lives in Thy service. Accept them, O Lord, for it is all that we can do.

And, O Father in heaven, we thank Thee for Thy mercy. Every day we claim its renewed power. Every day we must have Thy mercy extended to our lives. Help us, O God, to heed the promptings of Thy Spirit in our hearts and to obey Thy Word. We accept the gentle chastening of Thy loving hand and yield to Thy voice.

O Lord of hosts, holiness belongs alone unto Thee. We would ask as we have been taught to pray that Thy will would be done in earth, as it is done in heaven. We gratefully acknowledge that all things come from Thee, and we pray that Thy bounty would supply our daily bread, and that Thy mercy and grace would forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Dr. Morris is Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Creation Research.

6 ACTS&FACTS • N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9

Seminar and conference attendees may

be familiar with seeing the Institute

for Creation Research booth. ICR

attends over a hundred events every

year, and the booth is a great way for people to

stop by and chat with ICR staff and faculty.

I recently had the opportunity to attend

a local conference where ICR had a booth.

As with any event, there are logistical and or-

ganizational challenges to meet to get all the

necessary equipment and resources from ICR

headquarters to the event location. At this par-

ticular conference, none of the exhibitors were

allowed to sell anything, but that didn’t stop us

from giving away loads of books, Acts & Facts

magazines, Days of Praise devotional booklets,

classroom teaching posters, and all kinds of

free information.

This conference was designed for par-

ents and grandparents of school age children,

youth pastors and volunteers, teachers, and

anyone else who works with young people

to some degree. The highlight of my day was

simply talking with visitors, meeting current

friends of ICR and making new ones. People at-

tended from all around the Dallas/Fort Worth

area and other parts of Texas, as well as from

Oklahoma, Kansas, Washington state, Florida,

Georgia, and even someone from Canada. As a

first generation Asian American, I took note of

the various ethnicities represented, reminding

me with joy that God is the Creator of all our

beautiful skin tones, and that Christ is the Sav-

ior of every nation, tribe, and tongue.

Virtually everyone that stopped by our

booth was eager to receive information from

ICR on science news and the Bible, and many

signed up for our free Acts & Facts. We also

gave away many Fall Resource Guides, featur-

ing ICR books, DVDs, and education materi-

als. Several people expressed interest in the

new Origin of Life curriculum supplement

because it helps close the gap in science edu-

cation, highlighting what the Bible has to say

about scientific matters. I spoke with one en-

thusiastic woman who said her son was chair

of the science department at a Christian school

and that she would tell him about the curricu-

lum supplement because it was “precisely the

kind of thing he [was] looking for” to add to

his school’s program.

In an interesting turn of events, ICR was

invited to bring materials to a Christian health

conference in the same area. Many attendees

there were homeschooling parents as well, and

they were eager to receive free materials, as well

as to have a chance to glimpse the Origin of

Life curriculum supplement sample that we

had available.

Especially among parents and grandpar-

ents at both events, I listened to their discon-

tent with the public censorship of the truth of

God’s good news. Many are turning to home-

schooling simply because public school teach-

ing has been so watered down that children

aren’t asked to think critically anymore, just

regurgitate the information told to them.

They are also tired of the Darwinian

evolutionary story “being shoved down my

kids’ throats,” as one mother put it. And while

many public schools will permit students’

headscarves and pentagram jewelry, some will

not allow Christian students to express their

own faith by praying before football games.

While we can’t attend every Christian

event in our country or beyond, ICR’s mis-

sion still remains the same as when Dr. Henry

Morris founded it decades earlier: to equip the

believer with scientific truths that point to the

accuracy of God’s Word. After all, if we can’t

trust what He said He did in Genesis, how can

we trust what He said He did on the cross?

Science testifies to the creation. Our

testimonies demonstrate salvation. And our

hope longs for His return, when He will fi-

nally and completely right all the wrongs of

our fallen world.

Ms. Dao is Assistant Editor.

C h r I S T I n E D a o

Manning the Booth

EVENTS

I C R N O V E M B E RE V E N T S

n NOVEMBER 5-6 Sturbridge, MA – Association of Christian

Schools International Convention (Johnson, Sherwin) 719.528.6906

n November 5-8 Souderton, PA – Bucks-mont Coalition for

Evangelism Conference (J. Morris, Parker) 215.723.8707

n November 8 Dallas, TX – Preston Road Church of Christ (Guliuzza) 214.762.3287

n November 12-13 Raleigh, NC – Association of Christian

Schools International Convention (McCombs, Nason, Parker) 719.528.6906

n November 12-13 Lexington, KY – Association of Christian

Schools International Convention (Sherwin) 719.528.6906

n November 13-14 Dallas, TX – ICR Demand the Evidence Conference (H. Morris III, J. Morris, Guliuzza)

214.615.8300

n November 13-14 Charlotte, NC – 16th Annual National Conference on Christian Apologetics 1-800-77-TRUTH

n November 23-24 Anaheim, CA – Association of Christian

Schools International Convention (Guliuzza, Nason) 719.528.6906

n November 23-24 Dallas, TX – Association of Christian Schools

International Convention (McCombs, J. Morris) 719.528.6906

n November 23-24 Orlando, FL – Association of Christian

Schools International Convention (Parker) 719.528.6906

n November 23-24 Washington, DC – Association of Christian

Schools International Convention 719.528.6906

For more information on these events or to schedule an event, please contact the iCr events Department at 800.337.0375 or events@icr.org. For information on attending ACsi conven-tions, visit www.acsi.org or call 719.528.6906.

Thank you to the many people who have responded to our August invitation to share with us how ICR has impact-

ed their lives. It has been an encourage-ment and a blessing to hear about the ways God has used ICR speakers, radio programs, books, articles, and other materials to touch lives with the truth that the Bible can be believed in its en-tirety. There is no need to add manmade philosophies or false science, since God-inspired Scripture is complete, accurate, and “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righ-teousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Has God used ICR in your life? Have you heard an ICR scientist share evidence supporting the biblical ac-count and suddenly realized that the Word of God is trustworthy in all that it says? Has a friend or family member shared with you an ICR book, maga-zine, or devotional that strengthened your faith in the God who created all things “in the beginning”? Have you visited our website at www.icr.org and explored the evidence for creation or been helped by the scientific informa-tion in our archive of articles, technical papers, and other publications?

If so, would you consider sharing your story with us? You can either send a written account or a short video. A writ-ten story should be a maximum of three typed, double-spaced pages. A video

can be sent on a DVD or CD-ROM and should be 3-5 minutes. Mail it to:

EditorInstitute for Creation Research1806 Royal LaneDallas, TX 75229

We plan to share these stories in

our publications or elsewhere to en-courage fellow believers with the work God has done in the lives of those who honor His Word. By sending us your story, you are allowing ICR to potential-ly use it in print or in a presentation. The story should be of your life rather than another person’s, since we cannot pub-lish the story of someone else without their permission. We will withhold your name, unless you request otherwise.

Thank you in advance for sharing with us. When we witness to each oth-er about what God has accomplished through His Word and His provision, we both praise and honor the Creator, and also build up the body of Christ. As the writer of Hebrews urged:

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to pro-voke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one an-other: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Share Your Story of ICR’s Impact

8 ACTS&FACTS • N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9

rdipithecus ramidus is an extinct primate whose fossilized remains

were first found along the Awash River in Ethiopia about fifteen

years ago. Many fragments were collected, including shattered

bones from a four-foot-tall female nicknamed “Ardi.” She was cho-

sen to represent her kind, apparently because of the comparative completeness

of her remains.

Now Ardi’s discoverers believe they have collected enough data to recon-

struct her history—but what does their data actually reveal?

a Scientific Splash

Ardi was splashed onto the scientific scene with eleven technical articles

in a special issue of Science, accompanied by depictions of the reconstructions

of her bones. The reconstructions are based on CT scans of fossils,

interpretative speculation in areas where there were no bones available, and

more interpretation on how all the pieces fit together.

According to the researchers who found her, Ardi spent time as a human

ancestor, based on their assumption that humans either evolved from her or

some creature quite like her. “The Ar. ramidus fossils therefore provide novel

insights into the anatomical structure of our elusive common ancestors with

the African apes,” stated one of the Science papers, concluding that “Ar. ramidus

implies that African apes are adaptive cul-de-sacs rather than stages in human

emergence.”1

Another paper viewed Ardi as the source of a new model of hominid

evolution:

Referential models based on extant African apes have dominated reconstructions of early human evolution since Darwin’s time…. Ardipithecus essentially falsifies such models, because extant apes are highly derived relative to our last common ancestors.2

Yet none of these statements carry meaning without the presupposition

of evolution in general, and unless Ardipithecus is presumed to be an ancestor

to man.

Evolutionary Guesswork

To place Ardi into human ancestry, as these authors insisted, creates more

problems than it solves. For example, Ardipithecus’ body structure shows no

objective or undisputable transition toward uniquely human features. The

authors themselves listed some of these differences: Humans have unique

and interdependent sexual organs and reproductive biochemistry, unique

Did Humans Evolve

from “Ardi“?B r i A n T H o M A s , M . s .

A

feet, ankles and musculature, unique hip structure, unique teeth and

crania, totally unique cognitive abilities, a distinct “gut structure,” upright

walking, unique vocal apparatus, a “precipitous reduction of olfactory

receptors,” mammary glands that retain a stable size, unadvertised female

proceptivity, and an “unusually energy-thirsty brain.”3

Speculation and evolutionary guesswork, not scientific observations,

are offered to bridge these gaps. Consistent with this is the broad use of

speculative verbiage on the part of the authors. In the eleven papers in

Science, the word “probably” appeared about 78 times, and “suggest,”

“suggesting,” “suggestive,” or “suggests” were used 117 times, among other

terms that are associated with an unsubstantiated story rather than a

scientific description.

If Ardi is presumed to be a human ancestor, then the century-long

concept that has been taught as virtual fact—that humans evolved from

a chimpanzee-like creature (based most recently on the strength of a

supposed 99 percent agreement between their genome sequences)—must

be discarded! This is because of Ardi’s unique features, which she does not

share with African apes (or humans). In other words, arbitrarily placing

Ardi at the foot of humanity’s evolutionary tree means that she negates

the long-held concept of an African ape-like heritage. The chimpanzee,

then, would have to have evolved on its own separate path.

Getting off on the Wrong Foot

Ardi’s foot structure presents another problem for her assigned role

in human ancestry. A lone Ardipithecus foot bone was described in 2001,

and “it also shows a mosaic morphology that has features of both apes and

A. afarensis [a.k.a. Lucy].”4 The other bones of her feet present no exception

to the concept that Ardi possessed a mosaic of features, characteristics

shared with other creatures and yet integrated into a uniquely created

primate. She had hands for feet, and the long, curved bones of her fingers

and toes clearly show that Ardi was adept at living in trees.

The Ardipithecus foot has its big toe “thumb” projecting strikingly

sideways, which is hardly human-like. Nor are its other foot bones like

those of chimps and gorillas, which have specially flexible feet that enable

them to climb vertical tree trunks. Ardi’s feet are like those of some of

today’s monkeys, which have a stable platform from which to leap, along

with a fully developed grasping structure. Though the authors insisted

that this stable platform was adequate for walking, other experts already

disagree with this assessment.5

Ardipithecus-as-ancestor promoters stated, “The foot of Ar. ramidus

shows that none of these ape-like changes were present in the last

common ancestor of African apes and humans.”6 However, Ar. ramidus

only “shows” what was present in pre-human “hominids” if Ar. ramidus is

presumed, a priori, to be an evolutionary antecedent of apes and humans.

It looks instead like an extinct but unique animal, which the authors

themselves hinted at when they stated that “the Ardipithecus foot was an

odd mosaic.”6

Did ardi Walk Upright?

Most artists’ depictions show Ardi standing upright in a distinctly

human pose, a portrayal in keeping with the researchers’ contention that

she had a human-like walking ability. Clearly, if humans evolved from

some other primate, then somewhere along the way the hip and related

bone structure must have changed. Most primates waddle when they

“walk,” with knees aimed outward. Human hips are angled such that the

articulating legs (and knees) instead point forward. What did Ardie’s hips

look like?

The paleontologists painstakingly reconstructed her hip bones

from the fossilized pieces that had been recovered. Their efforts were

hampered by the incompleteness, fragmentation, erosion, and distortion

of the bones. They completed their structure by inserting a “conjectural

sacrum,” and correcting “various additional dimensions,”7 leading one to

wonder how close their digital model is to what originally existed.

Adding further reason for skepticism, the authors admitted, “We

based the anterosuperior projection of the ASIS on the well-preserved AIIS

and their typical relationship in hominoids.” Since the very word hominoid

is a term employed in the study of “human evolution,” one wonders what

role evolutionary dogma played in the necessary reconstructions, and

whether the data—consciously or unconsciously—was made to appear

human to advance Ardi’s candidacy as a human predecessor.

William Jungers of Stony Brook University expressed a concern

that the researchers’ presentation of Ardi’s hip structure as being similar

to human’s was possibly premature: “This is a fascinating skeleton, but

based on what they present, the evidence for bipedality is limited at best.”5

Which means the depiction of “Ardi as our ancestor” is limited at best.

Conclusion

In his assessment of the significance of Ardipithecus ramidus,

bipedality expert C. Owen Lovejoy wrote, “We can no longer rely on

homologies with African apes for accounts of our origins and must turn

instead to general evolutionary theory.”2 Thus, setting aside evolution-

inspired ideology, there is no scientific reason—or observed evidence—to

believe that Ardi was an ancestor of mankind. In fact, there is every reason

to believe it is solely an extinct primate, as uniquely created as any monkey

still alive today.

Based on the Bible’s description of origins, one would predict that all

“hominids” should actually be either wholly man or wholly ape. Based on

the scientific evidence, Ardipithecus was clearly an ape, and as such fits the

Genesis account that each creature group was created as its own kind.

References1. Lovejoy, C. O. et al. 2009. The Great Divides: Ardipithecus ramidus Reveals the Postcrania of Our

Last Common Ancestors with African Apes. Science. 326 (5949): 100, 104.2. Lovejoy, C. O. 2009. Reexamining Human Origins in Light of Ardipithecus ramidus. Science. 326

(5949): 74e1.3. Ibid, 74e7.4. Harcourt-Smith, W. E. H., and Aiello, L. C. 2004. Fossils, feet and the evolution of human bipedal

locomotion. Journal of Anatomy. 204: 404.5. Shreeve, J. Oldest Skeleton of Human Ancestor Found. National Geographic News. Posted on

nationalgeographic.com October 1, 2009.6. Lovejoy, C. O. et al. 2009. Combining Prehension and Propul-

sion: The Foot of Ardipithecus ramidus. Science. 326 (5949): 72.7. Lovejoy, C.O. et al. 2009. The Pelvis and Femur of Ardipithecus

ramidus: The Emergence of Upright Walking. Science. 326 (5949): 71.

Ardi image adapted from White, T. D. 2009. Ardipithecus ramidus and the Paleobiology of Early Hominids. Science. 326 (5949) 64, 75-86. (This image is used for non-profit educational presentation purposes only.)

Mr. Thomas is Science Writer.

9N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 • ACTS&FACTS

Did Humans Evolve

from “Ardi“?

10 ACTS&FACTS • N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9

r A n D y J . G u l i u z z A , P . e . , M . D .

Immune Systems, The Body’s Security Force

Good neighborhoods provide

families a lot of protection, but

even the best of communities

remain vulnerable to the threat

of criminals invading their homes. Our

human bodies are also vulnerable to foreign

invaders such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and

parasites. But when these infection-causing

microbes break in where they don’t belong,

they face a serious defense force, eventually to

be caught and destroyed by a highly trained,

cell-sized army equipped with a sophisticated

array of weaponry. That security force is

called the human immune system. Designed

with amazingly dynamic communication

networks that pass information back and forth

between hundreds of millions of cells, the

human immune system strategically fights off

microscopic invaders and remembers them

each time they attack the body.

Without this defense system, none of

us could survive, much less reach maturity.

When the immune system becomes weak due

to disease, immaturity, or deterioration, death

is far more likely from infection or cancer.

Medical intervention attempts to keep the

immune system intact, but little help can be

offered once it collapses.

Preparing the Immune System for Conflict

Like any conflict, the first priority must

be to distinguish friend (“self”) from foe

(“non-self”). Cell surfaces are covered with

hundreds of protein markers differing in type

and combination. One very important marker,

the MHC1, is on almost every cell (except red

blood cells). Like all proteins, DNA specifies its

makeup. But MHC markers are special. The

possible genetic combinations as to exactly

how it will “look” are so large that no two people

have the same combination (except possibly

identical twins). As cells recycle materials, this

marker actually takes tiny portions of their

unique cell fragments and displays these on

the surface. In the womb the immune system is

“programmed” to recognize “self” by learning,

in a sense, what these surface markers look

like. Immune cells programmed to recognize

self reside in the lymphatic and blood systems.

Their color is grayish white not red, so they are

called the white blood cells, or WBCs.

New generations of WBCs start

forming in bone marrow. Specific hormones

in the marrow or the thymus gland control

programming so knowledge of “self” is passed

on. This is important because WBCs operate

on only one creed—any marker on any surface

that is not totally “self” is “non-self” and will

be attacked and destroyed. Markers play a

pivotal role throughout the process. Non-self

obviously includes bacteria, viruses, fungi,

parasites, and toxins like snake venom. One’s

own cells may be included if infected inside by

viruses or internally transformed by cancer.

If so, portions of these non-self proteins are

carried from inside and placed on the cell

surface by the MHC. This, in effect, marks its

own cell for destruction.

how Microbial Threats are Identified

Hundreds of millions of microscopic

invaders that trigger defensive immune

responses are collectively called “antigens.”

Among the WBCs, “T cells” and “B cells” are

the key players in mounting very specific

responses to threats and then keeping these in

memory. Once these cells mature, they not only

recognize self but will express a receptor that

will bind primarily to one type of antigen. Each

of these cells may have over 200,000

receptors on its surface. The process

controlling maturation—colloquially

called “cellular boot camp”—is

exquisitely selective. If T or B cells

fail to recognize their specific

antigen or show any reactivity

against “self,” they are tagged

with proteins prompting

self-destruction. About two

percent of manufactured

cells make it through

boot camp. These cells

have not yet been ex-

posed to antigens so they

are “naïve” to their threat.

They are sent to lymph nodes,

other tissues, or simply circulate

waiting to be exposed. Exposure

for some is almost immediate,

while others may never be

exposed.

Since T or B cells make

well over one billion different

receptors, some researchers assert

that no environmental threat exists

for which a matching receptor has

not already been made. So humans

are not passively waiting for invading

microbial antigens to determine

which receptors will be made. Rather,

the body has cells ready to meet any

antigen that arrives. Some cells even

have receptors for antigens that have

never existed in nature. This incredible

inventory of receptors is specified by

genes in DNA, yet the total number of

genes currently identified in humans is

about 26,000. Actually, T or B cells in

the boot camp only use a few hundred

genetic bits of information, but these

are controlled by an elaborate process

that shuffles segments, allowing an

astronomical number of combinations. One

An intricate cyclical process en-

sures that the antigen-antibody

fit gets progressively better by

becoming even more specific.

11N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 • ACTS&FACTS

receptor region determines its classification

and allows it to interact with other cells.

Another region is variable and will “fit” to some

antigenic marker that initiates identification

and the attack.

Microbes commonly in-

vade through the mouth, lungs,

or broken skin. Anticipating

the invasion are millions of

cells called APCs (Antigen

Presenting Cell), which are

strategically located in places

like the tonsils or just under

the skin. APCs constantly

sample anything entering the

body, and invaders are killed,

their cells are broken apart,

and many tiny portions—the

antigens—are carried by

these APCs to lymph nodes

and “presented” to T or B cells.

T cells that “fit” the antigen

become activated. Some T

cells may also run into APCs on

chance encounters while circulating

in blood. A race begins the moment an

invader enters the body. Many microbes

reproduce rapidly, so the body must

destroy them while they are fewest in

number.

activating a Specific Immune response

Activated T cells initiate immediate and

wide-ranging responses. At least 20 different

chemical signals are sent throughout the

body. Some attract “helper” T cells, “natural

killer” cells, “cytotoxic” T cells, and other

WBCs to home in at the site of infection. B

cells are activated by these T cells, APCs, or

directly by antigens. The chemical signals also

drive many other important functions.

Activated B cells start reproducing

lineages of exact clones. Most clones are directed

to undergo dramatic internal restructuring,

thereby becoming cells able to make an

antibody—an extremely important protein

for fighting infection. These antibodies have

regions that “fit” to antigens via similar genetic

shuffling mechanisms as its “ancestor” B cell.

However, an intricate cyclical process ensures

that the antigen-antibody fit gets progressively

better by becoming even more specific. How?

The B cell’s genes prescribing variable regions

have genetically unstable areas guided by a

mechanism that fosters hypermutation—

totally random genetic mutations resulting in

very slight changes to variable regions from

one lineage of antibodies to another. A few

new antibodies will fit to the antigen a little

better than others. Right on schedule, another

type of cell takes the best fitting antibody-

antigen package to a special location inside

lymph nodes. The B cell making that antibody

continues to the next cycle, while all other

B cells that made less specific antibodies are

sent a signal to self-destruct. After about

six days of these mutation-selection cycles,

thousands of cells will be making highly

specific antibodies—and each of these cells

manufactures antibodies at rates of about

2,000 per second.

Eliminating Threats

Invaders now face an extraordinarily

fierce two-pronged attack. Antibodies may

directly neutralize some threats like toxins,

cause some antigens to clump together

harmlessly, or most importantly, cover other

microbes with thousands of antibody “bull’s

eyes” targeting them for certain destruction.

Once microbes are marked as non-self, there are

very few places to hide. Once found, immune

proteins may attach to microbes and punch

hundreds of holes in them, additional cells

may split them apart, other cells may attach

to them and inject substances causing them to

self-destruct, and many more may engulf them

and force them into internal “sacks” filled with

acid, hydrogen peroxide, or bleach.

Toxins like those from tetanus bacteria

or snake bites act so fast that ready-made

antibodies from another person or a horse must

be injected in victims to neutralize the toxin.

More often, after someone’s initial exposure

to an antigen, a few B cells that made the most

specific antibodies transform into long-lived

cells called “memory” B cells. When memory B

cells (and memory T cells) see that antigen later,

the entire immune response revs up stronger

and produces huge quantities of antibodies in

just a couple of days. Vaccines are compounds

containing portions of dead or weakened

antigens to deliberately expose people and,

thereby, get their immune system primed.

Often-fatal childhood diseases like smallpox,

measles, and polio have been greatly reduced

with this strategy. A newborn’s immune system

needs developmental time, but is conferred

good initial protection by antibodies from his

mother that cross the placenta and from his

mother’s milk.

Conclusion

The immune system doesn’t have even

one central dedicated organ—it is a functional

system dependent on every other body system,

which themselves would not survive without

immunal protection. It’s a complex system,

and every area fights selflessly to rid the body

of its foe and cleanse it of deteriorated cells.

The immune system’s Creator, the Lord Jesus,

is even more astounding. For “Christ also loved

the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians

5:25). As typified in the immune cells He

created, He, too, is

mighty to save and

protect His Body, even

when acting to His

own detriment.

Dr. Guliuzza is ICR’s National Representative.

r A n D y J . G u l i u z z A , P . e . , M . D .

Immune Systems, The Body’s Security Force

Designed with amazingly dynamic communi-

cation networks that pass information back

and forth between hundreds of millions of cells,

the human immune system strategically

fights off microscopic invaders and remem-

bers them each time they attack the body.

12 ACTS&FACTS • N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9

IMPACT

J e r r y B e r G M A n , P h . D .

Sir John Ambrose Fleming (November 29, 1849–April 18, 1945), often called a

father of modern electronics, is best known for developing the first successful

thermionic valve (also called a vacuum tube, a diode, or a Fleming valve) in

1904. His invention was the ancestor of all electronic tubes, a development

that gave birth not only to radio communications, but to the entire electronics industry.1

The modern vacuum tube, the triode amplifier, was achieved by Lee De Forest

in 1906—an “invention that ran afoul of the Marconi Company which owned Flem-

ing’s patent.”2 The development of radios, televisions, computers, phonographs, Dicta-

13N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 • ACTS&FACTS

phones, film projectors, and the cultural and intellectual achieve-

ments they created are all a direct result of the vacuum tube. The vac-

uum tube was a key component of radios and most electronic devices

until it was replaced by the transistor in the 1970s. Fleming was the

“common thread that linked the work” of Thomas Edison, Gugliemo

Marconi, and Lee de Forrest, and Nikoli Tesla, who—according to a

1943 U.S. Supreme Court decision—invented the radio.3

An Eminent Scientist

Fleming showed an early genius for scientific and technical

studies. As a student he studied under James Clerk Maxwell at

Cambridge, graduating with a first-class-honors degree in chem-

istry and physics. He was in the top two percent in his class for

his B.S. degree. He then earned a doctorate from the University

of Cambridge in 1880.4 Dr. Fleming taught at both Cambridge

University and the Uni-

versity of Nottingham.

He was the first professor

and chair of electrical en-

gineering at the University

of Nottingham and Uni-

versity College of London,

a post that he held for 41

years. Dr. Fleming was an

outstanding teacher in the

classroom and very successful as a public lecturer on science.

He also worked with both the inventor of the radio, Nobel lau-

reate Guglielmo Marconi, and the inventor of the electric light bulb,

Thomas Alva Edison, in developing a variety of inventions.5 From

Edison, Fleming learned about the ability of a vacuum tube to con-

vert alternating current into direct current.6 From this information

he developed his thermionic tube. When working with Marconi,

Fleming helped to design the transmitter that Marconi used in his

successful 1901 trans-Atlantic broadcast.7

In 1904 Fleming designed a vastly improved radio receiver for

Marconi.8 Fleming even helped design and build much of the equip-

ment that makes wireless communications possible. For example, he

contributed greatly to the development of electrical generator sta-

tions and distribution networks, helping to usher in the electronic

age by allowing long distance transmission of telephone signals. He

even made significant contributions to radar, which was of vital im-

portance in helping the Allies to prevail in World War II.

His many awards include the Hughes Medal in 1910, the Gold

Alber Medal in 1921, the Faraday Medal in 1928, the Institute of Ra-

dio Engineers medal in 1933, and the highest distinction in the Royal

Society of Arts. His most important honor, however, was a knight-

hood, awarded in 1929.9 In his career, Fleming authored 19 major

physics and electronic textbooks and almost 100 scientific articles,

many published in leading scientific journals.10 His 1906 and 1908

textbooks made critically important contributions to electronics.

Fleming also authored several creationist books, including The Inter-

secting Spheres of Religion and Science and Evolution or Creation?

The Evolution Protest Movement

Sir Ambrose Fleming was an active creationist for most of his

life. Henry Morris wrote that Fleming was an eminent scientist and

one of the most outstanding creationists of the 19th century.11 Flem-

ing was the first president of the group that had a major influence

on American creationists, the British Evolution Protest Movement

(EPM). The society was founded in 1932 by Fleming with ornitholo-

gist and prolific author Douglas Dewar.

The first meeting was held in the office of naturalist and au-

thor Captain Bernard Ac-

worth. Other active found-

ers of this group included

Professor Douglas Savory,

Dr. W. C. Shewell Cooper,

and Dr. James Knight, vice

president of the Royal Phil-

osophical Society. An active

Congregationist, Fleming

remained involved in the

EPM for most of his life, serving as a president of both the EPM and

the Victoria Institute of England, another creationist organization.

Fleming argued that, as science progresses, more and more

knowledge was uncovered that supported intelligence and design in

the universe.12 A major reason Fleming rejected evolution was be-

cause “organic Evolution is not an ascertained scientific truth fully

established by facts but is a philosophy…without regard to the ab-

sence of any rigorous proof.”13

The Case Against Evolution

In his book Evolution or Creation?, Fleming argued that evolu-

tion, like all naturalistic theories of origins, has failed to account for

life, the mind, and humankind. He reasoned that, for a theory to be

true, it must “not fail in critical places,” as does evolution.14

After giving several historical examples, Fleming noted that in

physics, even one fact can force revision or falsification of a theory.

Fleming then lists numerous examples of evolution’s failures, such

as the unbridgeable gap between living and non-living matter or be-

tween the cell and organic compounds such as methane. His argu-

ment in this area, although strong then, is far stronger today.

For example, Fleming, in harmony with the understanding of

Fleming’s invention was the ancestor of all

electronic tubes, a development that gave

birth not only to radio communications,

but to the entire electronics industry.

the science of his day, described the cell as a “very small drop or lump of a

jelly-like material called protoplasm.”15 Science then knew next to nothing

about the cell and its parts compared to today. The mitochondria, rough

ER, smooth ER, DNA, histones, and thousands of other organelles and

protein systems—plus around 100,000 different proteins in the cell—were

all unknown or very poorly understood in 1939. For this reason, Fleming’s

argument is immensely stronger today. Professors Green and Goldberger

wrote just 30 years later:

[T]he macromolecule-to-cell transition is a jump of fantastic di-mensions, which lies beyond the range of testable hypothesis. In this area all is conjecture. The available facts do not provide a basis for postulation that cells arose on this planet. To postulate that life arose elsewhere in the universe and was then brought to earth in some manner would be begging the question; we should then ask how life arose wherever it may have done so originally. This is not to say some paraphysical forces (meaning beyond material, such as God) were at work. We simply wish to point out the fact that there is no scientific evidence.16

Since then, the case against

molecule-to-human evolution

has grown even stronger with the

advance of science. Fleming rec-

ognized that “evolution is essen-

tially atheistic” and is actually “an

attempt to dispense with the very

idea of God and substitute for an

Intelligent Creator an impersonal

non-intelligent agency,” namely

mutations, time, chance, and natural selection.17 He concluded from his

study of the evidence that the “assumptions underlying Darwin’s theo-

ry…and the general theory of inorganic evolution have not withstood the

valid criticisms leveled at them.”18

The Infinite Variation Theory Proved Wrong

Another argument that he expounded, which has been confirmed

today, was against the Darwinian assumption that infinitesimal natural

variations accumulate in life, allowing natural selection to function.19

Fleming has been vindicated in this argument—Mendel disproved this

aspect of evolution, showing that the source of variation is genes. Today

the “infinite variation” of Darwin’s genetic transmission theory has been

discarded and replaced by Mendelian genetics, involving discrete units

called genes.

Of much interest is Fleming’s historical survey of evolution. For ex-

ample, he noted:

[Professor] de Vries’ theory of Mutations and Mendel’s discover-ies on the transmission of the unit characters have come in as an-tagonists more or less of the original Darwin ideas, and it cannot

be denied that no theory of organic evolution or explanation of its causation has commanded perfectly general acceptance. Rather, as H. F. Osborn, the late eminent American palaeontologist, said to the British Association in 1931: “We are more at a loss than ever to un-derstand the causes of evolution. One after another the Buffonian, Lamarckian, Darwinian, Weismannian, and de Vriesian theories of causation have collapsed.”20

Noting the conflicting views of a large number of biologists, Flem-

ing concluded:

[W]hilst freely admitting the insufficiency of all so far advanced ex-planations of precise causes and nature of evolution, [they] still cling to a belief in the existence of…evolution…[and] dismiss from their view any acceptance of deliberate creation as an impossible solution of the problem of species.21

Summary

Sir John Ambrose Fleming was a leader in the electronics revolu-

tion that changed the world. As a professor at a major university, he care-

fully researched the evidence for

Darwinism, concluding that the

theory is not supported by science.

He also influenced hundreds of

students to evaluate the evidence

in science for Darwinism. An out-

standing scientist and creationist,

he played a significant role in the

development and maturation of

the early creation movement. As

Travers and Muhr wrote, he “had an unusually long and active life,” and

his life changed the world as did few other scientists.22

References1. Morris, H. M. 1993. History of Modern Creationism. Santee, CA: Institute for Creation Research,

68-69.2. Travers, B. and J. Muhr, eds. 1994. The World of Invention. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Inc., 253.3. Ibid.4. Brittain, J. E. 2007. John A. Fleming. Proceedings of the IEEE. 95 (1): 313–315.5. Fleming, A. 1934. Memories of a Scientific life. London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 238.6. Travers and Muhr, The World of Invention, 253.7. Ibid.8. Ibid.9. Brittain, John A. Fleming, 315.10. Morris, History of Modern Creationism, 238.11. Ibid, 68, 120.12. Fleming, A. 1938. The Intersecting Spheres of Religion and Science. Pembridge, Villas: Christian

Press.13. Ibid, 42.14. Fleming, A. 1938. Evolution or Creation? London: Marshall Morgan and Scott.15. Ibid, 64.16. Green, D. and R. Goldberger. 1967. Molecular Insights into the

Living Process. New York: Academic Press, 406-407.17. Fleming, Evolution or Creation?, 9.18. Ibid, 13.19. Ibid, 35.20. Fleming, The Intersecting Spheres of Religion and Science, 42.21. Ibid.22. Travers and Muhr, The World of Invention, 253.

Dr. Bergman is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Univer-sity of Toledo Medical School in Ohio.

14 ACTS&FACTS • N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9

Fleming argued that, as science prog-

resses, more and more knowledge was

uncovered that supported intelligence

and design in the universe.

Molecular biologist Michael

Behe described a system

made of several interacting

parts, whereby the removal

of one part would disrupt the functioning of

the whole, as irreducibly complex. Both creation

scientists and intelligent design proponents

highlight examples of irreducible complexity

in their studies. The very structure of these sys-

tems—with their interdependent parts work-

ing all together or not at all—demands design,

not chance.

Nevertheless, a team of evolutionary mo-

lecular biologists think they may have refuted

irreducible complexity. They recently studied

the parts of a particular cellular machine in-

volved in protein transport, claiming that it was

actually reducible to its component parts.1

The researchers, led by Trevor Lithgow of

Australia’s Monash University, assert that since

analogs of some of the parts of this molecular

machine are found elsewhere, they could have

assembled naturally when they were brought

together at some time in the distant past.2 What

originally appeared to be an irreducible system

could now be considered reducible because

proteins were found that look very similar to

some of its parts, albeit engaged in different cel-

lular activities.

However, these researchers misunder-

stand irreducible complexity. ID theorists have

not claimed that a machine must have been de-

signed merely because it has parts, but rather

that an imaginary, not-yet-complete machine

has no function, and is thus invisible to natural

selection, making it “unevolvable.” If it does not

work, it confers no advantage to its organism,

and therefore no occasion for its selection.

To circumnavigate this dilemma, the

authors suggested a “core machine” assembly

phase:

We proposed that simple “core” machines were established in the first eukaryotes by drawing on preexisting bacterial proteins that had previously provided distinct functions. Subsequently, and in a step-wise process in keeping with Darwinian evolution, additional modules would have been added to the core machines to en-hance their function.1

Labeling this process as “preadaptation,”

they hypothesize that just the right components

assemble themselves in just the right configura-

tion. Also referred to as a form of “neutral evo-

lution,” one favorable reviewer reminds us that

preadaptation “falls outside the descriptions of

Charles Darwin.”3

However, the very label “preadaptation”

counters the authors’ claims. The idea admits

that not-yet-evolved “proto-machines” are not

subject to Darwinian selection of adaptations.

Preadaptation is observed nowhere; it is a de-

vised assumption “in keeping with Darwinian

evolution.” The fact that non-functioning “ma-

chine parts” are invisible to Darwinian selection

is exactly what design theorists have observed.

Brandon Keim wrote for Wired Science

that “it requires only that existing components

be repurposed,” as if adding purpose to parts

occurs simply and “naturally.” Plans and pur-

poses, however, are only known to arise from

intelligent planners, never from mindless and

chaotic laws of matter.

Preadaptation may be indistinguishable,

in principle, from magic, and it was clearly in-

vented to patch the gaping hole that separates

Darwinian philosophy from scientific reality.

Instead of relying on unknown “self-

organizing” principles and magical impos-

sibilities to have constructed the living world,

scientists can instead rely on Acts 4:24: “Lord,

thou art God, which hast made heaven, and

earth, and the sea, and all that in them is.” Thus,

a real, effectual, adequate Cause is responsible

for irreducible molecular machines such as mi-

tochondrial transport complexes.

References1. Clements, A. et al. 2009. The reducible complexity of a

mitochondrial molecular machine. Proceedings of the Na-tional Academy of Sciences. Published online before print August 26, 2009.

2. They found that certain α-proteobacteria possess proteins similar to Tim23, Tim44, and Tim14/Pam18. All three are required for the mitochondrial transport machine called TIM23. To convert these analogs into the real TIM23 parts, the chemicals they found would not only have to coalesce, but would require precise modifications and re-fitting ac-cording to a mitochondria-specific plan. Even then, the parts of another mitochondrial transport machine called TOM, without which TIM23 would be useless, are exclu-sively found fully formed in eukaryotes. The authors offer no suggestions on where TOM came from.

3. Keim, B. More ‘Evidence’ of Intelligent Design Shot Down by Science. Wired Science. Posted on wired.com August 27, 2009, accessed August 30, 2009.

Mr. Thomas is Science Writer.

B r i A n T H o M A s , M . s .

PreadaPtatiOn: a Blow to irreducible Complexity?

15N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 • ACTS&FACTS

BACK TO GENESIS

16 ACTS&FACTS • N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9

BACK TO GENESIS

The search for the remains of Noah’s

Ark began in earnest in the 1950s

with several individuals attempting

to research the evidence and even

search the majestic Mt. Ararat in Turkey. The

Institute for Creation Research published the

first serious compilation of this extensive evi-

dence for the Ark’s existence in 1972 in a book

titled Noah’s Ark: Fact or Fable by Earl and Vio-

let Cummings. Numerous explorers, includ-

ing myself, “caught the bug” and extended the

search to uncover more evidence. I traveled to

Mt. Ararat over a dozen times and led many

expeditions to the mountain. Unfortunately,

a discovery has still not been made. Since that

time, overly optimistic reports have continued

to surface, resulting either from press enthusi-

asm or fundraising efforts, but the Ark has still

not been found. There are many “eyewitness

accounts” that are convincing, but they don’t

always stand up to critical analysis. Now some

within Christianity claim the Ark may be on

a different mountain (still within the biblical

“mountains of Ararat”) and are focusing their

efforts on sites in Iran or southern Turkey, with

little evidence to guide them, and again with no

success to date.

Scripture makes no claim that the Ark

survived the thousands of years since the Flood

of Noah’s day, nor prophesies that it will be

discovered. Indeed, the ravages of the volcanic

Mt. Ararat make it unlikely that it could have

survived. But I remain compelled by the

voluminous evidence that it did

survive, and am convinced

by the evidence that

points to Mt. Ararat in eastern Turkey as the

proper site. Indeed, the eyewitness evidence is

the only reason to look anywhere. However,

discovery of the Ark is a job for younger men,

and so I have “retired” from leading expedi-

tions, although I often consult those who are

active in the search.

Parenthetically, while we suspect the re-

mains will one day be found in the country of

Turkey, we also recognize that the word “turkey”

J o H n D . M o r r i s , P h . D .

The Search Goes On

17N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 • ACTS&FACTS

is the name of the tasty bird prominent dur-

ing our Thanksgiving season. This bird is also

known for not being the brightest bird around.

The bird lives in Turkey as well and shows no

more promise than those here. The fiercely

proud and defensive Turks know the English

word for that dumb bird is the same as our word

for their country, and they don’t like it. Predict-

ably, in Turkish, they call it by another name—

“hindi”—their word for the country of India!

Summer 2009 saw three expeditions

making plans to travel to Mt. Ararat, each with

specific goals and sites to inspect. Thankfully,

they coordinated their efforts and cooperated

in planning and while on the mountain. Ararat

is 17,000 feet high and is covered year round

by a dangerous and moving ice cap, which we

suspect normally hides the Ark from sight. Re-

search shows that about every twenty years or

so the ice cap melts to an unusual degree, allow-

ing the Ark to protrude, but this past summer

the melt-back was no better than average. Even

those sites that have been checked before must

be checked again, for the mountain dramati-

cally changes each year. Expectations were high

as they embarked, but now that the summer is

over, there is still no discovery to report.

The expeditions did report a most se-

vere series of storms on the ice cap, with tent-

destroying winds and equipment-ruining tem-

peratures. Their stories brought back memories

of my first expedition, when similar

storms devastated us with

lightening strikes. Actu-

ally, I and two

others were struck by such a bolt and lay para-

lyzed for hours in the snow. Only God’s pro-

tection and provision allowed us to survive and

continue the search. This year the expeditions

were plagued by unexpected financial woes and

caught in a crossfire between the government

and local rebels, as well as life-threatening ac-

cidents. I’m glad I was left behind to pray. As

I write this in early fall, one group has not yet

ceased their efforts, and may try again as weath-

er and circumstances permit.

Why go at all? What good would a dis-

covery accomplish? May I suggest there are sev-

eral potential benefits, each of which would be

sufficient.

Archaeologically, discovery of the Ark

could be the greatest discovery ever. Keep in

mind, the purpose of the great Flood of Noah’s

day was to fully destroy every semblance of

humankind and their wicked, violent civiliza-

tions. The Ark would be the one remaining link

to that long-ago time.

Scientifically, discovery of the Ark would

forever demonstrate that uniformity, the basic

underlying assumption of evolution, is com-

pletely false. Finding a 450-foot boat on top of

a 17,000-foot mountain would lead to the con-

clusion that earth’s past has been quite different

from anything possible today. Without unifor-

mity, evolution cannot stand and would crum-

ble in the eyes of anyone with an open mind.

Biblically, many would see obvious proof

that the Bible is true, even these difficult stories

of creation and the Flood, and be encouraged

to consider the rest of Scripture. The Bible’s ve-

racity is not in jeopardy even if the Ark is not

discovered, but wouldn’t it be an encourage-

ment to believers to see such overwhelming

evidence? It would be His gift to His children.

Spiritually, many would be forced to con-

front the claims of Christ over their lives when

faced with evidence of the Ark’s existence. Here

we see that God judges sin. He did so in Noah’s

day and He hasn’t changed. Before, He sent a

worldwide judgment by water; in the future

is coming a worldwide judgment by fire. But

even in time of judgment, He provides a means

of escape—Noah’s Ark in the past, and Jesus

Christ in the present. By climbing on board the

Ark, believers of the pre-Flood world escaped

the watery penalty for sin and were placed in a

better world. Likewise, by “climbing on board”

our present-day Ark, Jesus Christ, and accept-

ing the free gift offered through His redemptive

work accomplished on the cross, we will escape

the coming fiery judgment of sin and be placed

in a better, eternal world to follow.

In my opinion, the search for the re-

mains of Noah’s Ark is worth the effort. Skep-

tics would be confronted with irrefutable evi-

dence. Unbelievers would learn of God’s justice

and grace. Evolution would see its foundation

eroded. And Christians would be encouraged

to continue with steadfastness, equipped with

a new tool.

Yes, the search for Noah’s Ark does go on

and should go on. Some day, when the time

is right, God will reveal it to a lost and dying

world that needs it so. And when He does, may

He receive all the glory.

Dr. Morris is President of the Institute for Creation Research.

Evolutionary philosophy is a bottom-

up storytelling project: particles, plan-

ets, people. Naturalists (those who say

nature is all there is) believe they can

invent explanations that are free of miracles,

but in practice, miracles pop up everywhere in

their stories. This was satirized by Sidney Har-

ris years ago in a cartoon that showed a grad

student filling a blackboard with equations. His

adviser called attention to one step that needed

some elaboration: It said, “Then a miracle hap-

pens.” Examples of miracles in evolutionary

philosophy include the sudden appearance of

the universe without cause or explanation, the

origin of life, the origin of sex, the origin of ani-

mal and plant body plans, and the origin of hu-

man consciousness.

An egregious example of appeal to

miracle appeared recently in Nature. John

Chambers of the Carnegie Institute was com-

menting on recent ideas about planet forma-

tion. Scientists have had a difficult time in their

models getting pebble-size rocks to grow into

planetesimals (bodies large enough to attract

material by gravity, usually kilometers across).

New pressure has been put on the models by

the realization that small bodies spiral into the

star on short timescales (in just a few hundred

orbits). So here is their new idea: the pebbles

just leaped over the size barrier. Chambers said,

“Objects must have grown very rapidly from

sub-metre-sized pebbles into 100-km-sized

bodies, possibly in a single leap.” In the same ar-

ticle, he remarked, “Dust grains coalesced into

planetesimals, objects of 1–1,000 km in diam-

eter, through an unknown process.”1

Don’t miracles involve unknown pro-

cesses, too? Chambers undoubtedly believes

that sufficient natural processes will be found

in some future model. But that requires faith.

So here we see faith in an unknown process

keeping the naturalistic story together. Cham-

bers referred to a paper in Icarus that stated

the miracle even more starkly: “Asteroids were

born big.”2 The authors of that paper explained

the miracle in these terms: “The size of solids

in the proto-planetary disk ‘jumped’ from sub-

meter scale to multi-kilometer scale, without

passing through intermediate values.” That is

functionally a miracle.

If this were the only example of appeal-

ing to a miracle in secular cosmology, it might

be forgiven. But miracles are rampant in the

evolutionary story. The literature of biological

evolution is replete with statements that this or

that animal “evolved” whatever complex sys-

tems are needed along the way, as if stating it

makes it so. It’s time to call this what it is: an

appeal to miracles, the very concept that En-

lightenment science was invented to avoid. It

has become the caricature stated in Finagle’s

6th Rule of Science: “Do not believe in miracles.

Rely on them.”

Fred Hoyle used to respond to critics—

who regarded his “steady-state” cosmology as

unscientific because it required the continuous

creation of matter out of nothing—by point-

ing out that Big Bang cosmology does the same

thing; it just creates it all at once. Deduction: ev-

eryone believes in miracles. Instead of needing

to invoke continual bottom-up miracles in the

evolutionary story, creationists get the world

right by a top-down miracle of creation. The

difference is that the creation miracle was intel-

ligently designed for a purpose.

The top-down approach leads to supe-

rior science in two ways. For one, it matches

the laws of nature we know. We see asteroids

proceeding from the top down—colliding and

grinding down into dust, not leaping from dust

into planetesimals by some “unknown process.”

For another, creation science provides the basis

for rationality. For science to succeed, it needs

a philosophical anchor for the belief that the

world is rational and can be understood. The

Genesis account of man being created in the

image of God provides that anchor.

Rationality in science requires reference

to causes necessary and sufficient to produce

the effects. If miracles are necessary, then an

omnipotent Creator is sufficient. Appealing

to chance miracles, however, is no more use-

ful than stating “Stuff happens.”3 Creation, the

“top-down” method, provides the solid foun-

dation for rational scientific explanation.

References1. Chambers, J. 2009. Planetary science: Archaeology of the

asteroid belt. Nature. 460 (7258): 963-964.2. Morbidelli, A. et al. Asteroids Were Born Big. Icarus. Article

in press, available online July 16, 2009.

3. See Coppedge, D. 2009. “Stuff Happens”: A Review of Darwin’s Influence on Modern Astronomy. Acts & Facts. 38 (2): 37.

David Coppedge works in the Cassini Program at the Jet Pro-pulsion Laboratory. The views expressed are his own.

18 ACTS&FACTS • N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9

BACK TO GENESIS

Bottom-Up Science

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prepare to cast off—your nautical-themed adventure is about to

begin! Aquarium lovers of all ages can learn:

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Which mammals live in the water and have cone-shaped teeth

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Designed for on-the-go learning, the convenient activity kit can be

removed to take with you to the aquarium, your local lake, or the

beach. Includes devotionals and other materials to help in preparing

for your visit to the aquarium, as well as activities and helpful tips

during your trip to make it safe, enjoyable, and educational. The

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W e e k e n d o f n o v e m b e r 7

Basic Laws of Nature

In the biblical account of creation, there’s no room for evolution. We

find this to be true in science as well, since natural laws back up Scrip-

ture. Is evolution against the law? You be the judge this week on Sci-

ence, Scripture, & Salvation!

W e e k e n d o f n o v e m b e r 1 4

Is Creation Science a Religion?

Over and over again we hear the false assertion by evolutionists that

creationism is “religion” while evolution is “science.” But why is this?

Is it possible that evolutionists have a biased definition for the term

“science”? Tune in to find out!

W e e k e n d o f n o v e m b e r 2 1

Thankfulness

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, we’re reminded how grateful we

should be for all of God’s blessings. We teach our children to say

“thank you” but are we, as humans, the only part of God’s creation ca-

pable of expressing appreciation? Join us this week—you’ll be thank-

ful you did!

W e e k e n d o f n o v e m b e r 2 8

Flightless Birds

Have you ever heard the saying “birds gotta fly”? For certain birds,

this is an impossible feat! God has created some beautiful flightless

birds. Evolutionists claim that these creatures used to fly but gave

up that ability. Don’t “chicken out” and fly the coop! Instead, listen

in on this interesting discussion!

This month on

“Science, Scripture, & Salvation” Thank you for the very interesting, informative article “Dinosaur DNA

Research” in the October 2009 publication of Acts & Facts….I find it

incomprehensible that this “eureka” discovery (fresh dinosaur bone

evidence) is buried in obscurity. Kind of like the old timer gold min-

ers discovering this funny gold metal material and putting it back in

the ground. It’s just amazing that these dogmatic evolutionists cannot

see the evidence for “thousands not millions of years” right in front of

their faces.

— R.B.

Your Days of Praise [devotionals] are indeed what the doctor ordered.

They are for me like insulin for the diabetic. Like water for the thirsty;

like food for the hungry. Just what I needed...Your efforts have blessed me

and for this I wish to say thank you.

— W.R.

As a graduate of Christian Heritage College, Henry Morris and Dr. Gish

were common names, as was ICR in Santee. Yet, I took them for granted!

It was [in] traveling to Sweden and meeting my future father-in-law that

I realized your impact. He was a subscriber and loved all your in-depth

articles. I was floored and humbled. I now plan on teaching my children

all your straightforward and scientific-based principles.

— J.M.

I visit your website daily, especially your Days of Praise. I find it very

strengthening to my faith. And of course your scientific articles on cre-

ation are very instructive to me.

— L.T., Indonesia

I saw your web address on the whaling boat featured in “the whale

wars” program on Animal Planet channel. Is this what your company

is a part of, the slaughter of so many whales in the name of research?

If so, Please Stop!

— L.R.

Editor’s note: The Institute for Creation Research gets criticized for many

things, but this is the first time we’ve been accused of slaughtering whales. If

you visit our website at www.icr.org, you’ll see that our focus is on scientific

research that supports the accuracy and authority of the Bible. You should

direct your concerns to the Institute of Cetacean Research.

Have a comment? email us at editor@icr.org. or write to editor, P. o. Box 59029, Dallas, Texas 75229.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To find out which radio stations in your city air our programs, visit our website at www.icr.org. on the radio page use the station locator to determine where you can hear our broadcasts in your area. You can also listen to current and past Science, Scripture, & Salvation programs online, so check us out!

21N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 • ACTS&FACTS

STEWARDSHIP

long-time supporter re-

cently wrote me with en-

couragement and help-

ful advice on raising

funds for ICR ministries. His letter

ended with a quote from Psalm 92:1,

wherein the psalmist proclaims, “It

is a good thing to give thanks unto

the Lord.” How appropriate, in this

month of Thanksgiving, that we

should refocus our thoughts on the

“good thing” of thanking our gracious Provider for all He has done. In

this vein, ICR invites you to prayerfully consider the following ways you

can “give thanks unto the Lord” by partnering with us in work for the

Kingdom.

Gifts from Iras—IRA withdrawals are taxable to you and your heirs, if

left to them. But individuals 70½ years or older can make direct chari-

table gifts up to $100,000 from their IRAs without having to declare it

as income, providing a way to make gifts completely tax-free. Even those

over 59½ may be able to accomplish similar results by combining a tax-

deductible gift with a withdrawal. What an excellent opportunity to prac-

tice godly stewardship and support the Kingdom through tax-exempt

ministries like ICR!

Gifts of appreciated Securities—With the economy on the rise, now

may be a good time to consider gifts of stocks, bonds, or mutual fund

shares before year end. Securities owned for longer than one year and

worth more than they cost can be deducted from income tax at full cur-

rent value, plus you pay no tax on any gain. Even securities worth less

than they cost may be worth giving, since the loss may be deducted from

taxable income—and when combined with a gift deduction, the total de-

duction may be worth more than the current value. Contact ICR for our

brokerage account information and let us help facilitate your gift.

Giving through the CFC—United States federal and military employees

can support ICR’s research and educational programs through this year’s

Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). If you believe in ICR’s work and de-

sire to support our ministry, please prayerfully consider designating ICR as

the charity of your choice. Our CFC identification number is 23095, or look

for us in the “National/International” section of your campaign brochure.

Matching Gift Programs—Many

companies offer matching gift

programs to their employees and

retirees for donations made to

qualifying organizations. Did you

know that ICR’s graduate degree

programs and research projects

may qualify for matches related

to higher education and research?

With matches typically made

dollar-for-dollar (up to certain

limits), this is a great opportunity to “sow bountifully” (2 Corinthians

9:6) for eternity by doubling your gift value! Check with your HR

department today to get started.

Charitable Gift annuities—With rates on Certificates of Deposits (CD)

hovering around 3 percent, rates on Charitable Gift Annuities (CGA) are

much more attractive—usually 5 to 8 percent, depending on age. But un-

like CDs, these special annuities offer guaranteed income for life, a present

tax deduction, and a tax-free portion of future payments. Contact ICR for

a customized proposal, or log on to the Planned Giving section of ICR’s

website (www.icr.org) to create your own.

Planned Gifts through Wills and Trusts—Changes to estate tax law

provide opportunities to leave more to family members and charitable

interests free of tax. After providing for your family (1 Timothy 5:8), your

will or trust can include charitable gifts of a specific amount, a percent-

age of your estate, a certain property, or “what’s left.” To discover how you

can best use your resources for God’s work, ICR offers free educational

guides and interactive calculators within the Planned Giving section of

ICR’s website (www.icr.org). Log on and try it today!

ICR is deeply thankful for all who co-labor with us, and we truly

“thank…God upon every remembrance of

you” (Philippians 1:3). We are dependent on the

Lord’s help through you, so please contact me at

800.337.0375 or stewardship@icr.org if you feel

the Spirit’s leading. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mr. Morris is Director of Donor Relations.

H e n r y M . M o r r i s i V

gAg-

Good ThingSs. . .A

22 ACTS&FACTS • N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9

BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

These quotations encapsulate the core debate between the nat-

uralistic worldview and the creationist worldview. The evo-

lutionary naturalist insists that death is a “good” and “essen-

tial” mechanism to produce the upward movement of “time’s

arrow.” By contrast, the Bible defines death as an enemy and the result

of God’s judgment on Adam for his rebellion. God’s good creation was

cursed by death that was “passed upon all men” (Romans 5:12).

Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935) was an ardent American

Darwinist, utopian feminist, and evolutionary humanist, whose prolific

writings on sociology through her novels, short stories, poetry, non-

fiction, and social reform lectures heavily impacted early 20th-century

thinking. Sadly, her view of death as an “essential condition of life” has

been embraced by many within the theological world.

Did God design eons of death into the creation?

Some have suggested that all living things were originally designed

by God to die, that over the millions of years in which animal and pre-

human life was developing, death played a perfectly natural role in the cre-

ation. Some have even taught that the death which God threatened Adam

with was a “special” kind of death that applied only to humans.

Necessary death and long ages are exactly what atheistic science

would advocate. How can the God who is life create death as part of His

own signature? How ludicrous to think God would design death into His

creation, and then agonize over the necessity of His own death in order to

bring us salvation. Death by the design of God is absolutely foreign to the

revealed nature of God (Romans 1:20).

In Genesis 3—the turning point in Scripture—all of the “good” was

instantly withdrawn by God, who by His word activated the “groaning

and travailing” of the earth and its inhabitants. The ground was cursed,

yielding thorns and thistles, surrounding Adam with sorrowful labor for

the rest of his life until he himself would return to the earth from which

he was fashioned.

But was God lying? Was He now blaming Adam for what He Him-

self had done? If the death pronounced by God is nothing more than a

“symbol” of a greater message, then death can be relegated to a mystical

musing that has no tangible meaning.

Is physical death irrelevant for salvation?

A most dangerous extension of the “death” equation is that physi-

cal death becomes essentially irrelevant in the punishment of sin. Gethse-

mane’s agonizing was for nothing, and the hundreds of warnings, curses,

and consequences detailed in Scripture are now twisted into allegorical

advice or suggestions.

However, physical death is specifically identified as absolutely nec-

essary to accomplish the atonement for sins (Hebrews 9:22). If the “blood

of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7; Ephesians 1:7;

Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19), how is it possible to separate this formal and

demanding requirement from physical death? Jesus participated in “flesh

and blood” only because we are flesh and blood, and by this means He

brought reconciliation through His death on the cross (Hebrews 2:14-18),

thereby destroying the devil’s power of death.

If there were eons of pain, suffering, and death before the awful re-

bellion of Adam brought “death” into the world, then the suffering of our

Lord Jesus becomes unnecessary. If the “wages of sin” is nothing more

than some sort of spiritualized distance from the Creator, then the entire

burden of sin becomes nothing more than a mental attitude. Heaven and

hell are “what you make of it.”

Twisting the words of Scripture so that Christ’s physical death had

no meaning is a terrible heresy.

Dr. Morris is Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Creation Research.

H e n r y M . M o r r i s i i i , D . M i n .

The Issues of

Death“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” — 1 Corinthians 15:26

“Death is the essential condition of life, not an evil.” — Charlotte Perkins Gilman

See also Dr. John Morris’ classic work The Young Earth, which ex-

amines the scientific, as well as theological, significance of the

age of our home. Designed for both group and individual study,

this definitive work includes a CD with PowerPoint presentations that

illustrate key concepts such as salt levels in the oceans, the age of the

atmosphere, the accumulation of ocean sediments, and much more.

The Fossil Record: Unearthing Nature’s History of Life

John D. Morris, Ph.D., and Frank Sherwin, M.A.

Evolutionists rely on the fossil record for

support of their theory, but what does that

record really reveal? ICR geologist Dr. John

Morris and zoologist Frank Sherwin unearth

the evidence of earth’s history and con-

clude that the fossil record is incompatible

with evolution, but remarkably consistent

with the biblical account of creation and

the great Flood of Noah’s day. Look for this

exciting new book at Christmas time.

To order, call 800.628.7640 or visit www.icr.org/store

C o m i n g t h i s C h r i s t m a sC o m i n g t h i s C h r i s t m a s

Only

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P. O. Box 59029, Dallas, TX 75229www.icr.org Minds,

Truth,

Culture

“iCr exists not just to bring scientists to Christ,

but to win science back for Christ.”D r . h e n r y M . M o r r i s

Sc i e n t i f i c r e S e a r c h • ed u c at i o n a l p r o g r a m S • Bi B l e-B a S e d p u B l i c at i o n S

For nearly 40 years, the institute for Creation research has

equipped believers with evidence of the Bible’s accuracy

and authority through scientific research, educational pro-

grams, and media presentations, all conducted within a thoroughly

biblical framework. Those of you who serve our country can now

also defend the authority of scripture—with one easy pen stroke.

iCr invites you to join us in winning science back for God.

Combined Federal Campaign

CFC# 23095We can be found in the “National/International” section

of your local campaign brochure.

Demand the Evidence. Get it @ ICR.

B i B l i c a l • a c c u r a t e • c e r t a i n

To learn more, visit www.icr.org/cfc

®

Defending

Renewing

Transforming